Gratitude

Gratitude

Gratitude seems to sum up this image. As I pulled the blinds on the window next to my computer desk, this beautiful red rose caught my eye.

The Zinnias (which had invaded its territory) have completely succumbed to the cold weather, but still provide a neutral background for this bloom — blooming as if on cue with the fab metal sign I purchase in Taos, NM. I was grateful for the stem of red rose blooms I was able to cut and place in my bud vase on my desk — despite it being 30-something degrees outside!

So, what are you thankful for? Thanksgiving is a word of action … (Feel free to post your responses here!)

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

Pause and Delight

Pause and Delight

Listening. Taking pause. Not always descriptive of our days. However, it is in The Pause of each day that we are able to truly listen.

Most of the people I know, myself included, take each day at a steady jog. Running just fast enough to keep up with their schedule but not fast enough to feel satisfied, nor slow enough to enjoy the view. And just forget about stopping! Or rest!

And yet we wonder why we feel so confused or at best, harried or discontented.

This is a tree of many years on the west side of my acreage. With the month of November moving along, I became concerned that this beautiful and garden-protector (from the hot summer rays of sun) would not glow with color this Autumn. It drapes over a corner of one of my large gardens, as it frames that area of my backyard from its post on the other side of the fence.

The other day — at almost sunset — I drove up my driveway and I realized that my concerns weren't valid. I gazed upon this tree in all its glory! Because during this time of year, the rays of the sun shine parallel with this tree. As the sun appears to set itself down along the horizon, the angle of its light upon the golden leaves of this majestic tree creates a soft glow.

So, what does this beautiful tree have to do with "Pause and Delight" and thus, this post?

Seeing it on that day reminded me to pause and to delight in God's Creation. (And realize that grabbing one's camera and capturing beautiful images of a tree in its glory is more important than groceries — including the ice cream! — waiting in the van to be carried into the house!) And to celebrate "all things in God's time" ...

Use my unlimited stores for your needs and those of others. You will love the consciousness of My Presence when you hear no voice. Cultivate silence I speak in silences, a soft wind can convey my meaning to the heart. ~Two Listeners

Change

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit

I have long been a Mary Engelbreit aficionado. She is a bit too perky for some but I enjoy an eclectic blend of style in my home and office, and her style blends right in! Her artwork often includes a theme or a quote; the one cited above is certainly one of my favorites!

The photograph I posted is also pertinent to change (Autumn) and changing the way I think about something. I enjoy the way the ever-faithful Virginia Creeper adorns my grapevine archway and along my fence. It is almost as tenacious as the wild grapevine that graces my country garden (and hither and yon!). However, when it comes to the matter of a gazillion seeds dropping into my country garden — I have to draw the line! So, I have been dedicated to weed it out except for the north fence line.

However, something I realized was that come October-November I could simply trim back those seeds as they draped over the fence. Thus preventing said gazillion seeds popping up next Spring! Yay!

Simple thing, actually, but revolutionary if we could simply apply it to other aspects of our Life-Garden. Right? Especially sincewe can only change ourselves (and not another person). And especially since some situations must be faced head-on instead of ignored or walked-away from. And in order to accomplish that we must change the way we think about said situations! :-D

"Take what you want and leave the rest." is a catch phrase from my 20's when I attended Al-Anon meetings. The concept stayed in my head ... and funny thing — 20 some years later — I think I finally get it! ;-)

And, I can thank G-d for Virginia Creeper, since apparently it was the closer on this whole "change what you can" and "leave the rest" deal!

Autumn

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

First Freeze

Well, in all the years I have lived here in my country home, this is the first year I wasn't running around in the dark the night of the first freeze! I dressed in layers this morning and finished up pruning and preparing my gardens for a forecasted freeze tonight ...

55° | 28°

Garden Planning

Photo Credit

This time of year I enjoy perusing my garden books and the Internet for ideas and inspiration. Here are some of my collected notes about garden planning and redesign:

Getting Started
1. Decide on a theme or plant family reflects your personality, with consideration to the time you have available for gardening as well as your level of expertise or resources.

2. Don’t be afraid to use different types of plants or garden accents, but focus upon a common theme or at least complimentary plantings. And, of course, for eclectic types (like me!) don't shy away from blending themes or including accent colors or textures as you weave your garden tapestry.

3. Study the space you want to garden, with consideration to future expansions or long-term plantings (such as scrubs or trees).

4. Compile photos or a list of plants you discover and want to include in your garden. Visit garden centers and keep a list of the names of the plants you are drawn to. Don't hesitate to inquire about native plantings, hardiness and local recommendations when you visit.

5. Annuals are a great starter plant for beginners. And they lend themselves to the trial-and-error mode of "planning"!

6. Start with a container garden if an in-ground garden seems too daunting.

7. Enjoy the process! Life is a garden ... What is growing in yours??



Related links:
Greenwood Nursery and Gardens
Landscape and Design Ideas

After ... Day 1

It always amazes me how much work can be accomplished if one simply makes the intention of focused activity. (Something I have to intend as it does not come naturally for me ...)


I was able to clear all the overgrown Bermuda grass, transplant the (struggling amongst the Bermuda) Sedum, as well as prune back the Salvia and Summer Savory. And, spot an empty chrysalis as well as a resident Terrapin turtle!

Related link: Monarch butterfly emerging ...

Focus for clearing

Before, Day 1

There are some errant seeds threatening to burst from their pods. They prefer to be called Garlic Chive seeds. However, their "fertileness" tends to add them in the weed category. And, actually Garlic Chives are more invasive (and difficult to remove) than Bermuda grass (the golden patch in the center of the photograph)! It is difficult to determine the Garlic Chive heads ... However, there are several! They are my first priority today!

So, this is my current focus for clearing and dead-heading.

Hoping to post an "after" photo very soon!

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Best Remedy!

Fall Color ...

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. ~Anne Frank

A Bunny for Tottie

A Bunny for Tottie

As the adventures in the garden slow due to the easing of the growing season, it is wonderful to know that there remain surprises as well as the promise of other types of adventures ...

Such as a visit from an unusually shaped tomato. As a life-long bunny-fan, I couldn't help but grin ear-to-ear seeing this tiny delight! And, then, I immediately thought of the enchanting and delightful, Tottie Tomato.

Mizz Tottie and her friends and their ever-unfolding story has been a morsel of sweetness for me. As Tottie matured, I delighted the learn of her discovery of The Story Door. Her life-long friend, Noreen, generously presents Tottie's Tales via her Web site. A must-visit — as the imagery is of great comfort and inspiration …

As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death. ~Leonardo da Vinci

Autumn's Tasks and Delights

Garden Friend

It has been almost a month since I posted ... And about that long since I did more than pull a few weeds in my gardens. I did get the Pansies planted; however, the flat of magenta Diathesis (my fav!) await their planting! There are one of my favorites because they are resilient and beautiful!

This morning I am doing some clearing, pruning, dead-heading as well as collecting and storing items; Winter will be here soon enough. I am hope-planting some Marigold and Zinnia seeds in amongst my perennials — in hopes for Spring seedlings! :-)

The ever-so-wild Sweet Potato Vine is winding throughout my garden — and like love, covering a multitude of "sin" ... As I try ever-so-diligently not to see the overgrown weeds and to delight in the progress of this passing gardening season! Sigh. But I still want to do more and I still dream of that ever-elusive "perfect" garden that I really don't want anyway! ;-)

'Cause, at heart, I am truly a country gardener and I enjoy a blend of planned and unplanned gardens. Sprinkling seeds here and there, poking potted blooms hither and yon and having a wild-from-last-year's-seed pepper plant or pumpkin vine in the midst of my sorta-planned row of Marigolds.

Bloom where you are planted ...

Bloomin' in the Clouds

This is my garden blog and yet my Life-Garden seems be affecting my "in-the-dirt" garden to the point where it is appropriate to post a few details about my "other" garden, too.

Learning how to spend time every day in my garden — in the midst of prepping to take the GMAT, the details of my high-school-age son's educational requirements and "other" activities. (Did you know that 20 minutes in the sun at noontime provides you with a day's worth of vitamin D? And the benefits of pause and fresh air are priceless!)

This past weekend, I purchased a tray of bright yellow pansies, with a few pots of demin blue pansies, too! Transitioning to Autumn gardening is wonderful. Cool mornings and less work as the growing season tapers off.

Did some weeding and clearing but the big news was making notes for the continued remodel of my gardens. There is much that can be accomplished 15-minutes at a time, I have here to tell you!

Clearing ...

A Happy Bee
(covered in pollen)

My garden and mind are being cleared today. A simple and enjoyable way to accomplish both simultaneously!

It has been a while since I have had any time in my gardens. Home school has resumed (my son in a sophomore this year!) and my Star Garden Greenhouse (a garden greenhouse of a different variety) has been a busy place! Of course, I have enjoyed my gardens via photos, cutting flowers for "inside blooms" and drying, rubbing my Mints and Rosemary and the occasional weeding. However, today I delight in the tasks of detailed maintenance and the purging which accompanies the change of seasons.

Blessed with clouds, mild temperatures and a gentle breeze, I set out with the priority of pruning back the wildly-happy Sweet Potato Vine and the exuberant members of the Mint family! Along with a prune here and there on the fading-blooms of the Crepe Myrtles and weeding out the crabgrass and Bermuda hither and yon! As well as the task of deciding which plants need a proper burial in my compost bin and which ones may remain until the first frost.

It truly has been a wonderful gardening year! Over the past 12 months, I reaped the promise of Van Gogh's wisdom: Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

That is how I started last year. I knew my health-rollercoaster-ride could dip or it could take me to new highs. Fortunately, it has been "up" for most of the past five months! :-) And I feel stronger than I have in many years.

Other fun things in my garden right now:

• Rosemary topiary
• Cuttings from Pineapple Mint
• Cleared areas for Autumn plantings
• Herb Harvests
• Photos of Hummingbirds and Bees and Butterflies!

This past week in my garden ...

Cypress Vine

The weather has been extraordinary! My garden is full of blooms and growth — and it is August! My work schedule has meant limited time to enjoy digging in the dirt ... However, here is what has been goin' on:

• every garden area has been mulched
• renegade vines and seedlings pruned back/dug up
• pruning, pruning and deadheading
• weeding, weeding, weeding!
• sweet potato vine growing like wild!
• purple Wave petunias have been inconsistent bloomers
• finally have Cypress vine growing! (Yay!)
• removed excess Vinca and gave to a friend
• removed sedums plagued by some sort of mildew
• purchased top soil for more grass seed planting

There has been just enough rain to keep everything happy (plants, grass and gardener!). I still need to get more grass seed sown.

And I would like to transplant some Cypress Vine to grow in the west side garden area. I have a topiary of wild grapevine and the red bloom of the Cypress Vine would look great with all the other red annuals.

One more addition

Found another plant tag and it was not previously listed: Pandora Vine Pandorea

This photo is from last year; I have a smaller version this year which survived the winter as a cutting in my large pot of Rosemary. It never bloomed prolifically but it was a nice addition of color and texture to my gardens.

This week in my garden ...

Bat-Face Cuphea

Cuphea x neubertii

This is a wonderful plant: hardy, decorative and ... red! Click on the photo to see the "bat faces" in the blooms. This is a selected section of a larger photo, so the clarity is compromised a bit.

There has been enough rain and moderate temperatures that my gardens and lawn are recovering nicely from the record rainfall. It is wonderful to see so much green! — in July, no less!

Tomorrow will be a garden day. Although I have been weeding daily, and tending to the growth and pruning of all the wonderful plants I have been blessed to grow — there remains numerous tasks to mark off my list.

As I was cleaning out my garden work bench, I came across some plant tags (which may or may not have been previously cataloged). These include: Palace Purple Coral Bells, Heuchera micrantha (which are growing very well!); Pineapple Mint (which does not like all the rain ...); and Scaevola aemula (see below) which is actually a low growing perennial herb (although it looks like a succulent). It has not thrived in the damp, sandy soil of my gardens ...

The Sweet Potato Vine, Ipomoea batatas has certainly thrived! Finally! I depend on it to grow into my Mints and to cover areas that are usually — by this time of year — looking a bit burnt. I have several Zinnias popping up in the area I planted seedlings last year. Plant seeds seem to work their way to far down in the sandy soil of my gardens. Therefore I usually only have a few seedlings.

With the exception of something I believe to be Purple Ruffle Basil. This is a prolific item in every one of my gardens. As a result, countless seedlings ended up in my compost! :-)


My Patio Tomato plant fell victim to dampness (I suppose). One day I went out to check on my raised bed of veggies and Marigolds and the main stem was completely folded over. :-( I still have peppers and some struggling green onions. There is always next year! — the gardeners' faithful cry!

My Roses are having a bit of a struggle, too. I shall be pruning them up tomorrow so that the leggy stems can recharge and reflower.

Well, that is it for today ... Happy Gardening, ya'll!

How does my garden grow?

With all the hot sunny days of this week, there is a bit of color to celebrate in my gardens this week. These two views are my favorites ...

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers. ~Claude Monet

Gardening Grace

Garden Angel

Gardening despite chronic pain has its creative moments. Like this morning when I balanced myself on the trash can I was using to collect my pruned pieces of Althea and the various and a sundry other prunings.

Right now, I am on a break from "power pruning" ... This is when I find a spot and just start cutting back, pruning and deadheading. There is so-o much to growth in my gardens! There are large leaves, long stems and runners full of energy from all the rain over the last two months. The sudden daily warmth of the sun at 90+ degree temps has been somewhat of an adjustment for some, as evidenced by their withered foliage (which perks back up in the evening).

There are several of you who must deal with chronic pain or illness. I hope you are encouraged to have at least some container gardens. This is what I did when I was not able to garden much at all. I always had some herbs and hardy summer plants like Petunia, Periwinkles and Lantana. And tomatoes will also grown in large pots with a fairly decent yield.

Another thing I use quite a bit is a small garden cart on wheels ... Let me see if I can find a photo ...

Here is one:

This has been the key to accomplishing my garden goals during the last four years. The top lifts to serve as handle or folds down seatin' and scootin'. Inside there are three storage compartments and removable tray. And it has molded clips on the base for toting (and keepin' up with!) long handle tools. It is about two-feet by 12- 14-inches and about 10-inches deep. Very handy!

Well, time to move the hoses I have on my gardens and do some more prunin'!

Gardening Grace to you, dear reader!

P.M. Update: Even moving slow and easy, I was able to stuff two trash cans full of gardening waste for my burn pile! Yay!

Posting. Finally.

Whew! Taking a break from my garden tasks and (almost) happy about sweating and working on a hot, steamy July day! Everything is still so-o wet from all the rain but I have been pruning and sizing up what will be the next project, what needs some TLC and what needs to surrendered to my compost pile.

Some quick notes ... (Then back outside!)

Honestly, I have this beautiful type of herb (Hyssop Agastache Mexicana) but I don't dare post a photo of its current pitiful state. :-] It was one of my finds at a local herb festival and I planted it in full sun as it aspired to grow in all its glory.

However, that same area becomes a bog when it rains since the Bermuda grass has been slow growing. Thus, when it rains, a steady stream of rain water flows into the area my Hyssop is (attempting) to grow.

And, since it has rained almost every day since the month of May in my country garden, my little Hyssop is not much larger than it was when planted (and pruned back) over a month ago.

Speaking of Bermuda grass, as a card-carrying Oklahoma gardener it is almost with disgrace that I finally claim my adoration for this tenacious (usually a pain in the b---, um, garden) grass. I gladly accepted three bags of freshing pulled Bermuda from my neighbor so as it could be plugged into the NEW! lawn area of my backyard in April.

My faithful son and lawn man is currently using a post hole digger to dig holes to "plug" with cut portions of Bermuda grass from other parts of the lawn. This has worked well but with the rain and all, it has turned out to be an almost month-long project! ;-)

Well, my break time is over ... More later!

Independence Day 2007!

4 o'clocks at 7:00 p.m.

Well, there was hope in my gardens this Independence Day! Most years, this is the day I silently surrender to the sprinkler queen as summer temps "hit" and everything is growing and full of color.

After surveying the water-logged details of my plantings, I exhaled a sigh of relief. Perhaps since it is July in Oklahoma, the 90's and 100's must be here to stay very soon! :-) And I will actually use the new sprinkler heads I purchased in May.

Can I really be hoping for said temperatures?? Indeed.

Having gotten everything mulched before my trip, I had the pleasure of plucking up countless cotton plant seedlings! I cannot remember ever having this many!! The rain must have helped them along ... I love cottonseed hull mulch over certain gardens. It will not float and is easier worked into the ground for fabulous soil!

More clearing on our acreage; thus, more burning this afternoon. It was nice to be able to work outside. It was extremely humid, but the sunshine was such a blessing! Most of the debris from our pool-fill-in project is now cleared and burned. Yay!

I don't have a list of things to work on yet. Right now I am simply tending to the miscellaneous weeding and such.

Every Day in June ...

Puddles and Crab Grass were Bermuda seed has floated away ...

Every day in June (except three) it has rained! It is official. Today is the last day of June ... And it is raining.

Record Rain ...

Rainbow at River Bridge

While I have completely danced and delighted in our record rain fall ... Well. Dare I say it? Um, someone please turn off the spicket!

Today marked the 15th consecutive day of rain in my neck of the woods. Breaking a record set in 1937.

While I have a lot of green ... The blooms remain more scarce, with the exception of the show of Daylilies with dabbled colors of red, fushia, yellow and orange (and occasional purple) from annual waitin' for Mr. Sun to spend the afternoon with us — at least one day out of a week! ;-)

Due to rain, I have not been able to take too many photos since my return from the beautiful mountains of New Mexico (where I had a great time!! and took LOTS of pics!).

However, here are some views the day before I left for vacation. (Funny how the adrenaline flows before one "vacates"; that burst of inspiration and energy to complete projects calling to be finished for months ... ::smiles::)

More soon ... I plan to brave the rain and soggy ground tomorrow!

Quotable

Nothing lasts in a garden, nothing stays the same. But something else takes it's place.
— A. A. Milne

Hypertufa pots and reminders ...

Hypertufa pots and timely reminders and tasks I need to finish up ...

• Continue rose care: Rugosas, disease-resistant shrubs, and many old roses do not need routine spraying, but hybrid teas, floribundas, and grandiflora roses do. Provide regular feeding, full sun, mulch, water, and good air circulation so roses naturally have the best defense against insects and diseases. In addition, provide pest controls throughout the gardening season. Prune off faded flowers and dispose of diseased plant matter in the trash.
  

• Consider installing soaker hoses: Soaker hoses in plant beds provide water to the root zones of plants with the minimum of waste, as opposed to sprinklers, with their overspray, runoff, and evaporation. Choose a good quality soaker hose that's very flexible. Start by using the soaker hose for about 30 minutes twice a week. Check the soil the next day to see if it has penetrated several inches, then adjust accordingly.
  

• Clean up spring bulbs: Spring bulb foliage is finally faded and can be cut back to the ground now. This is also the time to dig up any bulbs that you want to plant later this fall in other parts of the garden or clumps that are not flowering well. After digging, shake off any soil and let dry in the shade. Once the bulbs are dry, place them in mesh bags, label, and hang in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place.

Source: The Scotts Company

Saturday Samplin'

Thursday's Rain

Whew, the rain is fallin' on the plain 'round here! After a drought, I suppose it just wouldn't be right to even suggest we have had "enough" rain ... But. Well ...

Next subject: A samplin' of what has been going on in my gardens!

• mulching, mulching, mulching
• weeding, weeding, weeding
• final plantings (maybe ... you just can't ever tell what I will find during my next trip to the garden center!)
• pruning most everything
• taking care of my roses ('Blaze' climbing rose has horrible case of black spot!)
• addition of peach Sweet Williams from my Mom
• pondering the addition of a Coconut Lime Echinacea (below)
  

I still need to plant a variety of Sedums along my stone path. I am also hoping to get some planted along the borders of my gardens. Right now there are several spots where it is in bloom. There are tall stalks with clusters of yellow blooms. It looks marvy!

Off to do some deadheading ...

Lasagna Gardening

Former Outrageous Garlic Chive Foothold

As my gardens expanded, I learned the value of mulching and keeping weeds tamed. However, even the best laid plans seem to go arye!

So something I have done (even before the book) is what is commonly referred to as lasagna gardening. Probably not the extent that I presently enjoy the easy-way-to-great-soil but it proved the old adage: Necessity is the mother of invention.

I first started this process with cheap, black landscape plastic over the (ridiculously tenacious) Bermuda grass and cover it with grass clippings, mulched leaves, peat moss and pine needle mulch as well as chipped wood and pine bark mulch. Initially, any plantings I made were literally cut into this ground covering. Over time, the plastic was removed and the Bermuda had to me routinely weeded out (or, gasp! sprayed with Round-Up).

Over the 17 years I have dug in the dirt of my two-and-a-hald-acre wood, the soil has been enriched by the mulching practices I employ. Honestly, as much as I think about moving from my home someday, it would be almost impossible to bid farewell to the wonderful garden areas I have been blessed with! ;-)

My most recent lasagna project involved laying newspaper, grass clippings, mulched leaves and a bit of paving sand atop the "Outrageous Garlic Chive Foothold" area of my gardens. I absolutely adore the wonderful snowy-show of their bloom during the extreme heat of an Oklahoma August. However, these faithful herbs fall into the invasive category!

This mix (which is currently being "watered" so as to get the newspaper nice and soppy) will be topped with a blend of compost, cotton seed hulls, cow manure (from "my" Brown Swiss milk cows ... at the dairy where I get my raw milk) and some more grass clippings during the next two days.

• Read more about Lasagna Gardening
• Read more about composting (and the essential nutrients for gardening soil)

Instructions for Rosemary Topiary

I have long been a fan of topiary. And this year I had thought I would take cuttings from my 2-year-old Rosemary to make topiaries ... Instructions However, I spotted this great specimen and decided to use it instead.

Blue Potato Bush

Blue Potato Bush, Paraguay nightshade Lycianthes rantonnei — to shape (Article: leaving 20 percent of the plant material at the top, she begins to clean away the lower part of the stem ... begin pinching off the remaining branches or stems) or simply allow to grow freely? That is the question.

This is another find from Hines Horticulture and one I hope proves to have the right stuff to weather an Oklahoma winter.

Found the following comments:
Prefers full sun; grows quickly; in severe cold leaves drop and branch tips may die back; prune to keep neat or use as a hedge; excellent container plant; bloomed continuously from spring thru summer; acclimated mine by putting a bag on it before the first frost in order to grow in my zone; inside for winter (moderate light) ... it loses many of it's leaves, then regrows them once back outside for Spring; loves a hot, sunny, well drained position in a pot or garden bed

Two New Groundcovers

Creeping Raspberry Rubus calycinoides, with compact, coarse-textured, dark foliage and Golden Dewdrop Duranta 'Cuban Gold' Flor Celeste with bright, long and narrow, golden-yellow foliage are two finds from yesterday's quick trip to Home Depot for more stepping stones. Although I am not sure of the "perennialness" of these additions (as they are native plants of coastal areas) I went ahead and got them anyway.

The Creeping Raspberry will grow in an area that needs a quick-fill-in plant located in one of the new garden beds for this year. The Golden Dewdrop will be in a container of hot pink Vinca Catharanthus roseus (aka Periwinkles ).

Monday Miscellany

A couple of notes for today:

I spotted a small cluster of Bergamot! It was "hidden" by the Apple Mint winding its way around the Bergamot and Hibiscus. Yay!
One other Salvia (Salvia greggii pink preference) and a Mexican Hyssop Agastache mexicana , grace my gardens. These are finds from a recent visit to an Herb Fest at the Harn Homestead, which I neglected to mention yesterday.

Off to deadhead my wet Geraniums and Verbena ...

Bergamot

This is a photo taken two years ago of my Monarda (Bergamot). However, I cannot seem to keep this growing. I am looking for a large pot of this (or hopefully a shovel-full transplant for one of my garden friends (hint, hint!!).

Miscellany

Lemon Thyme, T. citriodorus

There are so many things I enjoy having in my garden that appeal to my senses: Provence Lavender (Lavandula intermedia), Lemon Thyme (T. citriodorus), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) and of course, a variety of Mints and Roses.

I am still looking for some French Lace (Lavandula multifida) and some Orange Mint. Orange Mint and Chocolate Mint together ... Talk about your aromatherapy!

Other additions:

• Plantain Lily Hosta 'Minuteman' (Hostas do not thrive for me ... I am determined to change that.)
• Trailing Verbenas: Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple' and Aztec Red Velvet Verbena hybrida
• Liriope Variegated Aztec Grass (enjoy have this wonderful grass growing in my shade gardens to "lighten" and add diversity)
• Portulaca (always a favorite!)
• Marguerite Ipomoea (aka Sweet Potato Vine — wonderful solution for instant "bright" with its lime green leaves and abundant growth even in hot Oklahoma summers!)
• Kiss Kordana Rose miniature red
• Petunia x hybrida Dreams™ 'Red'
• Petunia x hybrida Dreams™ 'Midnight'
• Vinca Pacifica Dark Red
• Red Dipladenia Trellis (Dipladenia)
• Moonbean Coreopsis
• 'Leguna White' lobelia hybrid
• Diamond Frost Euphorbia
• 'Orange Perfection' Garden Phlox phlox paniculata (now planted in its permanent home!)
• Lonicera ‘Mandarin’ Honeysuckle (new; ordered from Wayside Gardens to add come color to my garden arch)
• Astilbe 'Gloria Purpurea' (also from Wayside Gardens)
• Hot Shot Girard Azalea Rhododendron girard (rescued from the trash as Ace Hardware; employee explained that it was dead ... I replied it was merely dormant; total cost $0.00)
• Golden Barberry Berberis thunbergii 'Aurea' another (almost) freebie; total cost $1.00)
• Bambino Bougainvillea Baby Alyssa (love this one! photo and other information are cited in the post below)
• Nearly Wild Rose [Rosa 'Nearly Wild' - Pink Floribunda (1941)
• This modern cluster-flowering Floribunda Rose was introduced by Dr. Walter D. Brownell in 1941 by crossing the large flowered wichuraiana climber, 'Dr. W. Van Fleet' (1910) with 'Leuchtstern' a climbing Polyantha (1899). 'Nearly Wild' has reemerged from an obscurity that found the few remaining plants only in old rose gardens. Source]
• Mexican Hyssop Agastache mexicana

Bambino Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is native to South America's Amazon rain forest. There are four different species of these evergreen, thorny, woody vines, named in honor of Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French military man who discovered the plant in 1768 in Brazil. It took several more decades before the tropical vine was actually grown in Europe; the first plant was brought to France in 1800. From these species have come numerous hybrids of varying sizes, from 2-foot-tall dwarf cultivars to vines that can exceed 30 feet tall. Source

Groundcovers

Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe'

Perennial ground covers are one of my favs! For some reason, I allowed English Ivy to be planted in an area, I presumed, could handle this invasive garden selection. Not so much ... But I am working on using it for topiaries this year, so maybe it will redeem itself?

Other ground covers in my gardens:

• Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata (colors: white; hot pink; pink and white stripe; lavender; violet-red; link to photos)
• Ajuga reptans ('Atropurpurea’ dark bronze-purple leaves; ‘Silver Beauty’ gray-green leaves edged with white; and a small leaf variety known as ‘Chocolate chip’)
• Dichondra 'Silver Falls' (new for me)
• 'Moneywort' Lysimachia Nummularia
• Asiatic Jasmine Jasminum (this is supposed to flower, but mine has never flowered ...)
• Vinca major, Vinca minor (Periwinkle) variegated and regular variety
• 'Emerald Gaiety' Euonymus fortunei
• Sedums: reflexum ’Blue Spruce’; Sedum spurium ’Fuldaglut’ (aka Dragons' Breath); Sedum rupestre ’Angelina’; Sedum Selskianum (with these wonderful small yellow star shaped flowers); Sedum album 'France' (White Stonecrop)
  
• Woolly Thyme Thymus pseudolanuginosus
• Pachysandra Terminalis (new for me this year)
• 'Irish Moss' subulata (new for me this year; currently remains in a pot as I am not sure about where to put it - how it will do, etc.)
• Creeping Raspberry Rubus calycinoides
• Golden Dewdrop Duranta 'Cuban Gold' Flor Celeste
  

Salvia

Black and Blue Salvia Salvia guaranitica

There are numerous favorites in my garden. But some of my very, very favorites are Salvias. Being born in Oahu, I have a special affinity for pineapple anything ... So, Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans — reseeds itself; usually grown as an annual; bright red flower stalks in late summer; leaves offer a sweet pineapple fragrance when rubbed between your fingers) is a very favorite.

The Salvia genus includes more than 900 species of shrubs, herbs, herbaceous perennials and annuals. Its name, Salvia (also referred to as Sage), comes from salveo, which means "save," referring to the medicinal value associated with this genus. A native plant of Mexico, and all are easy to grow and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Other Salvias in my gardens:

• Meadow Sage 'May Night' (Mainacht) Salvia de la Pradera
• Red Salvia Salvia splendens
• 'Lady in Red' Salvia Salvia coccinea (if the seeds from last year germinate ...)
• Common Sage Salvia officinalis
• Black and Blue Salvia Salvia guaranitica (new variety for me)
• Golden Sage Salvia officinalis aurea
• Salvia greggii pink preference

One other Salvia I plan to include: Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) Probably because I enjoy the folklore (and the aroma of the pet deodorizer I use by Mrs. Meyers ...): Clary sage has an interesting history that reveals itself in the names which were applied to this plant. Medieval authors called the herb "clear eye" and considered it beneficial in healing visual problems. The name "clary" is derived from the Latin word "clarus" meaning clear. Nicholas Culpepper, an early herbalist, said the sticky mucilage from the seeds, when put into the eyes, would clear away any foreign objects. In the middle ages it was known as "Oculus Christi" the "eyes of Christ". Source

Recollection Day

Favorite View for Today

The groove of work and play has been a smooth and ever flowing one ... With beats of jazzy interlude added while composing in my gardens. Not much recorded as of today but that is about the change!

This is one of my very favorite years of gardening! I have replaced most of my favorites (which merely grace my gardens via their remnants in my compost pile as they "passed" due to extreme heat and/or my journey back to wellness) and added some new and delightful varieties! Thus there are numerous varieties of perennials, herbs, vegetables and annuals blooming and adding color and dimension currently within my garden.

Of course one of the most difficult parts of gardening in the short term is pruning back blooms to facilitate growth and health. I planted a flat of Dream Red and Famous Blue Petunias yesterday. Each plant bearing numerous blooms, many of which were clipped in order to celebrate more blooms later this month.

I have been busy transplanting Iris and Daylilies and Victoria Blue Salvias to their new homes as well as planting previously container-grown items into their new homes. What a blessing to see these tasks complete.

Salvias are one of my favorites due to both their beauty, constant bloom — but most of all their hardiness! More about Salvia later ...

Current status of backyard project: 80% complete. What remains is final clearing of backyard full-sun garden corner and shade garden corner. As well as moving my garden work station to the shady area of the NW corner of the backyard gardens.

What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade. ~Gertrude Jekyll

• Beautiful images from a flower farm ... Worth the work!
• Enjoy seeing progress via lasagna gardening. (This link has long been one of my favorites ...)
• Garden Plans (Great ideas and I enjoy the drawings.)
• Backyard Gardener
• More Garden Planning helps
• Container Gardening
• OSU Extension
• Organic Gardening
• Emily Compost ...
  

Fab Friday!

After the rains of this past week, the soil was so easy to work with. Today was productive right up to the point where a thunderstorm blew in and caused the warm, sunny sky to be transformed into dark clouds and start pouring rain.

The rain watered in the grass I plugged and planted as well as settling the mulch I layered over the front porch garden and new transplants. I have been pleased to see continued progress as the backyard makeover from pool to grass and landscaped takes shape.

I uploaded new photos today ... Look over at the right margin.

Garden Blessings, my friends!!

After the rain ...

Count 'em, 5 inches of rain in two days! Oh, how very different this year is from last year! Reading back over last years notes and viewing my garden shots simply adds to my delight concerning my garden endeavors.

One of the reasons I blog is to have an easy-access journal of my garden adventures. Collecting photos and notes in one place proves to be very useful (and reassuring) with regard to progress.

Iris: Lovely and faithful blooms coupled with low maintenance.

More garden photos: Click here.